Narottam Mishra, Ashutosh Tiwari meet in Bhopal amid Datia BJP infighting

The factionalism that began in the Datia BJP after its defeat in the by-election had become an obstacle to building the organisation. Distance had grown between former minister Dr Narottam Mishra and Ashutosh Tiwari, the party's candidate in the by-election. As a result, the formation of the party's new executive and its mandals in the district had been stalled. Efforts to bring the two leaders together have now picked up pace.

In this connection, on Thursday in Bhopal, Dr Abhay Yadav, in charge of the Chambal division, called a meeting of Datia's key leaders. The next morning, Friday, Dr Narottam Mishra went to Abhay Yadav's residence and met him.

Thursday's meeting was held at the bungalow of Edal Singh Kansana, the minister in charge of Datia. Besides Kansana, those present were Bhind-Datia MP Sandhya Rai, Sewda MLA Pradeep Agrawal, former Bhander MLA Ghanshyam Pironiya, former minister Dr Narottam Mishra, former candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and district president Madhavendra Singh Parihar. The meeting discussed the formation of the Datia district executive and appointments to other organisational posts.

After the BJP's defeat in the by-election, all organisational units in the district were dissolved, including under the then district president Raghuveer Sharan Kushwaha. Madhavendra Singh Parihar was given charge as district president after a considerable time, but factionalism was hampering the formation of a new team.

After the defeat, Ashutosh Tiwari had targeted Dr Narottam Mishra without naming him. Two factions then formed in the Datia BJP. Even after the district president's appointment, the two leaders had not been seen together at any organisational meeting. Their joint presence at Thursday's meeting is therefore being seen as significant for the organisation.

The meeting also discussed preparations for the proposed "Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao" yatra in Gwalior. It was decided to prepare a list of workers from Datia down to the booth level. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and the state BJP president will take part in the rally in Gwalior, along with a national-level leader.

Dr Narottam Mishra's visit to Abhay Yadav's residence on Friday morning is also being seen as significant in terms of this organisational exercise. Efforts are now being made to bring the two leaders together through appointments to the district executive and mandals in Datia.